The decision of the United Nations Human Rights Council not to renew the mandate of its independent expert on human rights for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has met with fierce criticism from a leading human rights organisation. Human Rights Watch says the move represented "a betrayal of its responsibilities toward the Congolese people".

The United Nations is investigating allegations that its peacekeepers sexually abused children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), its mission in the war-scarred country said on Wednesday. The mission "is deeply concerned by allegations that surfaced recently of sexual exploitation and abuse", spokesperson Kemal Saiki said.

Defence lawyers and observers have received death threats during the appeal hearing of four men sentenced to death over a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) journalist's murder, human rights groups said on Wednesday. Serge Maheshe (31), a reporter with Radio Okapi, was murdered in June last year.

Security forces in Democratic Republic of Congo's Katanga province have intercepted a truck transporting radioactive mineral ore bound for export, local authorities said on Friday. The truck, carrying 30 tonnes of copper and cobalt ore for Chinese-run firm Hua-Shin Mining, was stopped at a checkpoint near Kolwezi.

At least 68 people were killed in a two-week government crackdown against separatists in Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) western Bas-Congo province, according to internal United Nations reports. Starting on February 28, hundreds of soldiers and police battled members of the ethnic-based political and religious movement Bundu dia Kongo.